BBudo
has
its roots in China where it was commonly known as "Wushu" and was
imported into Japan in antiquity. Originally an art of war and philosophy
used by samurais, it then evolved into traditional budo, under the influence
of Japanese Masters.

Today's Yoseikan
Budo draws its inspiration from both traditional and modern Budo, with
influences from Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, and Morihei Ueshiba, the
founder of Aikido.

From the
Yoseikan dojo, Japan, to Yoseikan Budo

The Mochizuki family

Minoru Mochizuki (center) with his son Hiroo and his two grand sons Michi
and Kyoshi, in France (Dec.1999)

Master Minoru Mochizuki

Born in 1907,
Master Minoru Mochizuki was 10th dan in Aikido, 9th Dan in Ju-Jitsu, 8th
Dan in Judo, 8th Dan in Iaido and 8th Dan in Katori Shinto Ryu Kobudo, and
5th Dan in Karate. He
studied directly under Masters Kano, Mifune, Funakoshi and Toku. He was assistant to
both Master Kano and Master Ueshiba. He was the first ever to show Aikido
in Europe, and was one of the greatest Masters of the 20th century. He
died in France in 2003.

In 1931,
Master Minoru Mochizuki opens the Yoseikan dojo, at the foot of the sacred
Fuji Yama, and teaches Judo, Aiki-Jujitsu, Iaido, Kobudo (and Karate under
the direction of Master Sano). Later, Master Minoru Mochizuki went to Europe,
the USA and Canada several times to introduce and teach Aiki-Budo in those
countries.

In 1957, Minoru Mochizuki sends his eldest son,
Hiroo, to France with the task of
introducing Karate in Europe. Hiroo Mochizuki will stay there until 1959,
and then return to Japan to finish his VMD studies. In 1963, he comes back
to Europe and participates in the creation of the French Karate Federation
(FFKAMA). In 1964 he becomes the first technical advisor to the French Karate
Federation and European Karate Union. In
the 70's, under supervision of Hiroo Mochizuki, the French Karate team
becomes the
first foreign team ever to defeat the Japanese team in the Karate world
championships.

In 1965,
Master Hiroo Mochizuki creates his own school of martial arts, called "Yoken"
(mastery of sabre and fist). Later, he renamed it YOSEIKAN BUDO in homage
to his father.

Born in 1936 in
Shizuoka, Master Hiroo Mochizuki has an extensive knowledge of martial arts.
He trained with his father, and also with Masters Hyogo, Ostuka (the founder
of Wado Ryu Karate) and Michihara (the founder of Shotokan Karate) as well
as Ueshiba. He also practiced Boxing, Kickboxing, and has a marked interest
in Chinese martial arts. He currently is 9th Dan in Karate, 8th Dan in Aikido, 8th Dan in
Jujitsu, 3rd Dan in Judo, 7th Dan in Iaido and Kobudo. He
is presently the Soke, or Grand Master, of Yoseikan Budo worldwide.

Master Hiroo Mochizuki is the creator of Yoseikan Budo as
is it practiced today around the world.

Strangely,
Yoseikan Budo developed on Western continents (Europe, America,
Africa) but was totally ignored in Taiwan and China. This, partly because
Chinese people were long interested in Chinese martial arts, but mostly
because Yoseikan Budo was never seriously advertised and promoted through
competition. It was about time, and Yoseikan Budo has been available in Taiwan since 1999.

The organization
is established as a National Federation. Foreigners living in Taiwan
and Chinese people alike show a lot of interest in this very realistic form
of martial arts that emphasizes practical work and full-contact, has clear
teaching methods and features courses in English.

Most martial
arts in Taiwan are practiced at school by students (or in very private "Guan",
for the Chinese adults) and there was a real need to make these activities available to all in Taiwan, especially:

Foreigners who have an interest in martial arts and Asian culture,
or simply are looking for a way to exercise and improve their physical
condition

Chinese people who want to join a very open-minded and multilingual
society of martial arts followers

Chinese kids who want to learn martial arts and practice English at
the same time

Japanese people who have learned Budo in Japan and wish to continue
practicing in Taiwan

Japanese
children who wish to keep close to their country roots through Budo (it
is a tradition, in Japan, for all schools to have several martial
arts sections; at least Judo, Kendo and Aikido).

ORGANIZATION

As shown
on the chart below, TYB depends directly on the Yoseikan World
Federation. This
means that TYB is always acting in respect of the YWF guidelines, and
that our instructors and our students will always have proper technical
support, as well as regular training from the world federation.

Besides,
each member or student, when registering with TYB, is automatically registered
with the Yoseikan World Federation, and gets a Yoseikan passport valid worldwide.
Our members may therefore continue to practice when they move abroad, since
their passport will mention every detail of their training and grades and
be recognized by all Yoseikan clubs abroad, and by most other federations,
in the range of the Yoseikan activities.